Couple Finds Snag In Getting DTV Signal
WISC-TV To Make Switch To Digital On Feb. 17
Updated: 8:58 pm CST February 5,2009
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READ: Visit C3K's Digital TV SectionREAD: DTVanswers.comREAD: Get Ready For Digitial Television ChangeoverREAD: What Is HDTV?READ: Top 10 Questions About Digital TelevisionREAD: Get Shopping Tips For Purchasing Digital TVREAD: Digital Television (DTV) Information
Digital Television
READ: Visit C3K's Digital TV SectionREAD: DTVanswers.comREAD: Get Ready For Digitial Television ChangeoverREAD: What Is HDTV?READ: Top 10 Questions About Digital TelevisionREAD: Get Shopping Tips For Purchasing Digital TVREAD: Digital Television (DTV) InformationMore Information
ROCK SPRINGS, Wis. -- WISC-TV and some other stations are making the transition to digital in less than two weeks, and as some try to make their TVs compatible, others have realized they might have to reach for a signal.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportRuss and Laurie Hasenbalg live outside of Rock Springs in a picturesque home in the Baraboo bluffs, but that's creating a DTV problem. They've bought a new rooftop antenna, a converter box and a router, but are still having no luck getting DTV."I think one of the basic necessities for people is to have local television channels free of charge, and unfortunately the new converter boxes and a new TV aren't a fix for everyone," said Laurie Hasenbalg.They're victims of what's called "cliff effect." They live behind a bluff near Rock Springs, and currently the analog signal, although weak, drops to meet them. Digital doesn't work the same way."If you live farther away from the tower or are behind an obstruction, the signal will get weaker, and as it gets weaker, the data system isn't able to reconstruct the stream to give you a perfect signal to a point. Once you reach a threshold of signal at your location, then it just stops," said Leonard Charles, chief engineer at WISC-TV.That leaves the Hasenbalgs with no picture and not many options."It's either get an adequate antenna high enough to get the signal or they have to look into some type of subscription service to get our signal," Charles said."I don't know what the options would be. We are looking at putting 500 to 600 feet of cable and putting an antenna way up behind our home. We're not sure if that's even going to work," said Laurie Hasenbalg.Residents can get around this problem by getting a subscription to a satellite company. The Hasenbalgs said they are hesitant to do that because of the cost and having to give out some personal information. They have also been contacting their representatives in Congress to see if anything can be done nationwide for those suffering from "cliff effect."WISC-TV is making the transition to a digital signal on Feb. 17.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportRuss and Laurie Hasenbalg live outside of Rock Springs in a picturesque home in the Baraboo bluffs, but that's creating a DTV problem. They've bought a new rooftop antenna, a converter box and a router, but are still having no luck getting DTV."I think one of the basic necessities for people is to have local television channels free of charge, and unfortunately the new converter boxes and a new TV aren't a fix for everyone," said Laurie Hasenbalg.They're victims of what's called "cliff effect." They live behind a bluff near Rock Springs, and currently the analog signal, although weak, drops to meet them. Digital doesn't work the same way."If you live farther away from the tower or are behind an obstruction, the signal will get weaker, and as it gets weaker, the data system isn't able to reconstruct the stream to give you a perfect signal to a point. Once you reach a threshold of signal at your location, then it just stops," said Leonard Charles, chief engineer at WISC-TV.That leaves the Hasenbalgs with no picture and not many options."It's either get an adequate antenna high enough to get the signal or they have to look into some type of subscription service to get our signal," Charles said."I don't know what the options would be. We are looking at putting 500 to 600 feet of cable and putting an antenna way up behind our home. We're not sure if that's even going to work," said Laurie Hasenbalg.Residents can get around this problem by getting a subscription to a satellite company. The Hasenbalgs said they are hesitant to do that because of the cost and having to give out some personal information. They have also been contacting their representatives in Congress to see if anything can be done nationwide for those suffering from "cliff effect."WISC-TV is making the transition to a digital signal on Feb. 17.
Previous Stories:
- February 5, 2009: WISC-TV To Stick To Feb. 17 DTV Switch Date
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